Jimmy Dunne never got to play out his Manchester United dream but the new Hearts loan signing insists the chase is still on to get back to the top.

The Irishman joined the Red Devils at the age of just 10 and was part of the same youth squad as England star Marcus Rashford and new Scotland cap Scott McTominay.

But while they are now regulars in Jose Mourinho 's Old Trafford line-up, the 20-year-old has been forced to give up on his ambitions of starring for the Premier League giants after he was released by United last year.

There was salvation in an offer from Burnley, who have sent him north to Gorgie to speed up his development following successful stints with Barrow and Accrington Stanley since making the switch to Turf Moor 12 months ago.

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Now, the determined defender - who has joined the Jambos until the end of the season - hopes his Tynecastle switch is the next step on his path back to the big time.

He said: "It was a bit of a blow to leave United but I didn't have the pain of having to find another club, which can be the most difficult thing for young players as they go from thinking they have it all to having nothing. Thankfully I was able to go straight to Burnley.

"Some of the more well-known guys I came up with at United included Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay who are both playing regularly in the first team now.